Democratic representatives in swing House districts that could be crucial to both parties in this year’s general election remain silent on calls from within the nation’s largest teachers’ union to withdraw support for President Biden over the Gaza war. is maintained.
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), a former teacher and member of the National Education Association (NEA), was elected in 2018 with the support of the union, particularly union president Becky Pringle, who campaigned on her behalf. He ran for Congress for the first time.
But the lawmaker has yet to speak publicly about the union’s internal efforts to block support for Biden until there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Hayes’ office also did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Fox News Digital about the effort or whether he believes the NEA should continue supporting Biden.
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Representative Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., and President Biden. (Getty Images)
The Nation reported in January that a faction of NEA rank-and-file union members is demanding that the union rescind its support for Biden’s re-election this year until the president secures a “permanent cease-fire” and ends it. It pledges to send military funding, equipment and intelligence to Israel, and to commit to “fair due process for asylum seekers and refugees.” ”
The petition, which is being circulated within the union, says signatories will refrain from making voluntary contributions to the group’s political action committees, which support candidates, the report said. .
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“As a Palestinian American, this is heartbreaking,” one union member told the outlet. “Because our union is very focused on racial and social justice, and supporting him who is not only funding, but sending weapons to kill our people, is a warning to me.” The message is that we don’t matter, we’re collateral damage, and that’s okay. ”
National Education Association President Becky Pringle speaks at the launch of MoveOn’s National Banned Books Tour at Sandmeyer Bookstore in Chicago on July 13, 2023. (Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images, MoveOn)
Hayes narrowly won re-election in the 2022 midterm elections with a margin of just over 2,000 votes, and this seat is likely to be a top target for Republicans seeking to maintain and expand their House majority.
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Hayes is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, but his 2022 opponent, former Republican state Sen. George Logan, is hoping to run again in the general election in November. His only opponent in the Republican primary is public sector employee Michelle Botelho.
Election analysts generally see the race leaning toward the Democratic Party.
Get the latest on the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more with Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
